The proposed bill would amend current statutes by introducing several new requirements for the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) regarding the retirement of electric generation facilities. Specifically, the ACC would be prohibited from authorizing the retirement of any electric generation facility unless a new facility with equal or greater power generation is available on the grid. Additionally, the ACC would need to consider imminent and planned closures of firm power sources in Arizona and other states when assessing replacement power needs. The bill also mandates that the ACC prioritize new generation facilities from dispatchable sources and project a minimum increase in dispatchable electricity by 5% between 2025 and 2030.

Furthermore, the bill outlines procedures for handling regulatory actions that could lead to the involuntary retirement of electric generation facilities. It requires facilities to notify the ACC of any external regulatory actions that may threaten their operation and mandates the ACC to open an investigatory docket to assess the impact of such actions on energy reliability and affordability. The bill also allows the ACC and the Attorney General to seek legal remedies to protect existing facilities from premature closure due to federal regulations. Definitions for key terms such as "dispatchable," "electric generation facility," and "firm power" are also provided to clarify the bill's intent and scope.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 40-363
House Engrossed Version: 40-363